Blueberry plant named &#39;OVERTIME&#39;

ABSTRACT

The new blueberry plant variety ‘Overtime’ is provided. ‘Overtime’ is a commercial variety intended for the hand harvest fresh market. The variety has medium sized, light blue fruit which has and an excellent fruity flavor and lacks the typical grittiness of rabbiteye blueberries. ‘Overtime’ ripens about one week earlier than ‘Powderblue’ and ‘Ochlockonee’, and has comparable yields. The variety shows good tolerance to bacterial canker caused by  Pseudomonas syringae.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

None.

LATIN NAME OF THE FAMILY, GENUS, AND SPECIES

Family—Ericaceae.

Genus—Vaccinium.

Species—virgatum

VARIETY DENOMINATION

The new blueberry plant claimed is of the variety denominated ‘Overtime.’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the discovery of a new and distinct cultivar of rabbiteye blueberry known as a Vaccinium virgatum referred to as ‘Overtime,’ as herein described and illustrated.

The new blueberry plant variety ‘Overtime’ was selected in Lowell, Oreg. in 2006. ‘Overtime’ is a commercial variety intended for the hand harvest fresh market. The variety has medium sized, light blue fruit which has an excellent fruity flavor and lacks the typical grittiness of rabbiteye blueberries. ‘Overtime’ ripens about one week earlier than ‘Powderblue’ and ‘Ochlockonee’, and has comparable yields. The variety shows good tolerance to bacterial canker caused by Pseudomonas syringae.

Pedigree and History: The new blueberry plant originated from a cross of ‘Centurion’ (female parent, unpatented) by ‘Powerblue’ (pollen parent, unpatented). The new blueberry plant variety ‘Overtime’ has been planted in replicated trials since 2007.

The new variety can be compared to commercial variety ‘Ochlockonee’ in that ‘Overtime’ has larger berries and ripens about one week earlier.

The new variety can be compared to commercial variety ‘Powerblue’ in that ‘Overtime’ has larger berries with better flavor, and ripens about one week earlier.

The new blueberry plant variety ‘Overtime’ has maintained its distinguishing characteristics throughout successive asexual propagations. The variety has been repeatedly asexually reproduced through softwood cuttings in Lowell, Oreg., and the clones are phenotypically identical to the original plant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new blueberry plant variety ‘Overtime’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment and cultural practices such as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed in Lowell, Oreg., and are determined to be the unique characteristics of the new blueberry plant variety ‘Overtime’:

1. Medium sized, round fruit with excellent fruity flavor, and smooth texture.

2. Very good performance in storage trials.

3. Good tolerance to bacterial canker caused by Pseudomonas syringae.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic illustration shows typical specimens in full color of the foliage and fruit of the new variety ‘Overtime.’ The colors are a nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

FIG. 1 is a photograph of the new variety ‘Overtime.’

FIG. 2 is a photograph of the fruit of the new variety ‘Overtime.’

FIG. 3 is a photograph of the flowers of the new variety ‘Overtime.’

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘Overtime.’ The data which defines these characteristics was collected from asexual reproductions of the original selection. Dimensions, sizes, colors, and other characteristics are approximations and averages set forth as accurately as possible. The plant history was taken on plants approximately three years of age, and the descriptions relate to plants grown in the field in Lowell, Oreg. Color designations are from “The Pantone Book of Color” (by Leatrice Eiseman and Lawrence Herbert, Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Publishers, New York, 1990). Where the Pantone color designations differ from the colors in the photographs, the Pantone colors are accurate.

-   Classification: a. Family — Ericaceae. b. Genus — Vaccinium. c.     Species — virgatum d. Common Name — Rabbiteye Blueberry. -   Parentage: Female Parent — Centurion (unpatented). Male Parent —     Powderblue (unpatented). -   Market class: ‘Overtime’ is a commercial variety intended for the     hand harvest fresh market. -   Plant:     -   -   Plant size.—a. Height of Plant: Average of 32 inches on 4             year old plants. b. Canopy Diameter: Average 30 inches on 4             year old plants.         -   Growth habit.—Upright base, floppy structure.         -   Plant vigor.—Vigorous.         -   Twigginess.—Low.         -   Evergreenness.—Deciduous.         -   Suckering.—Moderate suckering.         -   Chilling requirement.—Approximately 500-700 hours.         -   Cold hardiness.—Estimated USDA hardiness zones 7-9.             Productivity In Lowell, Oreg. a. On 3 yr old plants: 0.8 lbs             per plant, compared to 0.52 lbs per plant for Ocholockonee             plants of the same age, and 1.23 lbs per plant on Powderblue             plants of the same age. b. On 4 yr old plants: 3.67 lbs per             plant, compared to 5.35 lbs per plant for Ochlockonee plants             of the same age, and compared to 7.49 lbs per plant for             Powderblue plants of the same age.         -   Propagation.—Easy to propagate from softwood cuttings.         -   Disease resistance/susceptibility.—a. Root rot (Phytophthora             cinnamomi): Does not appear to be overly susceptible. b.             Phomopsis Twig Blight (Phomopsis vaccinii): Does not appear             to be overly susceptible. c. Stem Blight (Botryosphaeria             spp): Undetermined. d. Botryosphaeria Stem canker             (Botryosphaeria corticis): Undetermined. e. Bacterial Cane             Canker (Pseudomonas syringae): Does not appear to be overly             susceptible. f. Botrytis blight (Botrytis cinerea): Does not             appear to be overly susceptible. g. Leaf Spot (Septoria             spp.): Does not appear to be overly susceptible. h. Leaf             rust (Naohidemyces vaccinii): Does not appear to be overly             susceptible. i. Bud Mites (Acalatus vaccinii): Undetermined.         -   Survival.—Good. -   Wood:     -   -   Texture.—a. Surface Texture New Wood: Smooth. b. Surface             Texture 1 yr Wood: Smooth. c. Surface Texture 3 yr Wood:             Rough.         -   Color.—a. Color New Wood: Pantone color Parrot Green             15-0341. b. Color Rough Bark 1 yr: Pantone color Moss             16-0532. c. Color Rough Bark 3 yr: Pantone colors Aztec             18-1130 and Chinchilla 17-1109. -   Leaves:     -   -   Internode length.—Average of 19.41 mm.         -   Leaf dimensions.—a. Leaf Length: Average 78.56 mm. b. Leaf             Width: Average 29.25 mm.         -   Leaf shape.—Elliptical with acute base and apex.         -   Leaf margin.—Serrulate.         -   Leaf color.—a. Upper Leaf Surface: Pantone colors Mature             leaf — Grasshopper 18-0332. b. Upper Leaf Surface New             leaves: Piquant Green 17-0235, with Maroon 18-1619 at top             edge. c. Lower Leaf Surface: Pantone color Peridot 17-0336.         -   Pubescence.—a. Pubescence Upper Leaf Surface: Absent. b.             Pubescence Lower Leaf Surface: Absent. c. Pubescence Leaf             Margins: Absent.         -   Petiole.—a. Petiole length: Average 1.70 mm. b. Petiole             color: Pantone colors Sweet Pea 15-0531 and Cranberry             17-1545. c. Petiole surface texture: Smooth.         -   Leafing vs flowering.—Flower bud break occurs prior to             vegetative bud break in Lowell, Oreg. Flowers persist during             initial vegetative growth period. -   Flowers:     -   -   Flower arrangement.—Flowers arranged alternately along             branch.         -   Fragrance.—Faint, sweet.         -   Immature flower color.—Pantone colors White Swan 12-000 and             Dusty Rose 17-1718.         -   Anther.—a. Anther length : Average of 3.98 mm. b. Anther             color: Pantone color Burnt Orange 16-1448.         -   Flower shape.—Cylindrical.         -   Pollen.—a. Pollen Staining: Staining with 2% acetocarmine             dye, approximately 95% viable. b. Pollen Abundance:             Medium. c. Pollen Color: Pantone color Pale Banana 12-0824.         -   Flower length.—Average of 11.12 mm.         -   Corolla.—a. Corolla Length: Average of 8.2 mm. b. Corolla             Diameter: Average of 6 mm. c. Corolla Aperture: Average of             2.56 mm. d. Corolla Color: Pantone color Pastel Parchment             11-0603. e. Corolla Texture: Smooth.         -   Style length.—Average of 8.4 mm.         -   Calyx.—a. Calyx Diameter: Average of 3.53 mm. b. Calyx             Surface: Smooth. c. Calyx Color: Pantone color Green Olive             17-0535.         -   Pistil color.—Pantone color Mellow Green 12-0426.         -   Pedicel.—a. Pedicel Color: Pantone color Green Olive             17-0535. b. Pedicel Length Flower: Variable, average of 9.6             mm.         -   Peduncle.—a. Peduncle Color: Pantone color Raw Sienna             17-1436 and Red Ochre 18-1442. b. Peduncle Length Flower:             Variable, average of 7.17 mm.         -   Flowering period.—In Lowell, Oreg. begins flowering in early             May, reaches approximately 50% bloom in mid-May and             continues flowering through late May to early June.         -   Flowering cluster.—Loose.         -   Number flowers.—Average of 4-7 flowers per cluster.         -   Self-compatibility.—Moderate. On average, 48% of             self-pollinated flowers reach maturity.         -   Stigma location.—Average 0.61 mm above lip of corolla. -   Fruit:     -   -   Mean harvest date.—August 28.         -   Mean date last pick.—September 15.         -   Calyx.—a. Calyx Aperture: Average of 4.83 mm. b. Calyx             Lobes: 5 indistinct lobes. c. Calyx Depth: Average 0.76 mm.         -   Berry cluster.—Loose.         -   Berry pedicel.—a. Length: Variable, average of 10.44 mm. b.             Surface Texture: Smooth.         -   Berry peduncle.—a. Length: Variable, average of 28.88 mm. b.             Surface Texture: Smooth.         -   Berries per cluster.—Average of 5-7 per cluster.         -   Berry detachment.—Moderately easy.         -   Berry weight.—Average of 1.61 g per berry, compared to             Ochlockonee plants of the same age, which had an average of             1.51 g per berry, and Powderblue plants of the same age,             which had an average of 1.04 g per berry.         -   Berry height.—Average of 13.07 mm.         -   Berry width.—Average of 16.88 mm.         -   Berry shape.—Round.         -   Berry skin color.—a. Immature berry color: Pantone color             Parrot Green 15-0341. b. Berry Skin Color on Plant: Pantone             color Grey Dawn 14-4106. c. Berry Skin Color after Harvest:             Pantone color Chicory 16-4013. d. Berry Skin Color after             Polishing: Pantone color India Ink 19-4019.         -   Berry wax.—Heavy, persistent wax.         -   Berry flesh color.—Pantone color Vanilla 12-0712.         -   Pedicel scar.—Small and dry, average of 1.56 mm in diameter.         -   Berry firmness.—Firm.         -   Berry flavor.—Sweet.         -   Berry texture.—Firm. -   Seeds:     -   -   Seed color.—Pantone color Copper Brown 18-1336.         -   Seed length.—Average of 2.07 mm.         -   Seed width.—Average of 1.24 mm.         -   Seed weight.—Average of 0.6 mg.         -   Quantity seeds per berry.—Average of 26 seeds per berry. 

1. A new and distinct variety of blueberry plant named ‘Overtime,’ substantially as illustrated and described herein. 